TOWARD A LAW OF THALASSOTHERAPY

More than 150 representatives pertaining to 10 countries among them France, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Tunisia, Morocco, Russia, Poland and Holland, participating in the World Congress "The new frontier of the Thalassotherapy: A challenge for the Third Millennium" agree to request the regulation of the sector by means of legislative norms in order to guarantee the citizens health.

This important world-wide event took place in Tombolo Talasso Resort in Livorno (Italy) developing simultaneously, the "II Congress of the World Federation of Thalassotherapy (F.M.T.)" and the "40th National Congress of the Italian Association of Hydrothermal Technique (A.I.T.I.)".

Although both congress were presented under the same motto, the aims of each congress were clearly different: while that of world-wide level was, first of all ,of more scientific character, analyzing matters such as the Preventive Medicine and the Thalassotherapy, the diverse therapeutic applications, the innovation in the hydrothermal technologies and the bioclimatology, the activity of the A.I.T.I. congress was programmed toward the legislative aspects, evaluation and normative which are fundamental for the development of the Thalassotherapy in European ambit.

Professor Giovanni Agostini, President of the Congress and of the A.I.T.I. made public his uneasiness due to the "strong delay that Italy suffers with regard to other countries" and highlighted that "our objective is to push to the ministerial authorities to give a total operability to the law 323 for the Thermal Reorganization that was signed years ago in the Parliament. This is the base to avoid that this sector could be developed without clear norms that guarantee the health of the citizens."

From the scientific point of view ? he added - the therapeutic value of the Thalassotherapy has been demonstrated through the 2000 scientific tests carried out that proved its effectiveness as medical therapy. Also there are studies carried out by the experts from Israel in the Dead Sea whose publication was authorized in physic and science magazines."

The Thalassotherapy is the combined use, with therapeutic objetives both preventive or healing, the benefits of the sea, solar climate, water, algae, mineral salts, MUDS and other obtainable substances.

In Italy the centres of Thalassotherapy are less than ten (the most important is located in Tombolo of Marina of Castegneto Carducci, the Thermal Baths of St. Giovanni in the Island of Elba for the Toscana, Lignano Sabbiadoro, in Verneto, the centre Castellaneta and Margerita of Savoia, in Puglia and Timi Ama in Cerdena) while in the area of Mediterranean Sea there are hundred of centres of this type, distributed among France, that leads the sector, Greece, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey and Morocco

The Thalassotherapy is effective in the treatment of the respiratory tracts, in dermatology for the treatment of the dermatitis, vitiligo and psoriasis, the chronic and allergic sinusitis, bony degenerative illnesses, post traumatic rehabilitation and vascular illnesses.

EUROPEAN DEFINITION

According to sources consulted by TERMASWORLD, there is an european definition of the term "Thalassotherapy" established according to the criterion issued by the ESPA (European Association of Spas) to guarantee norms of high quality and to establish the term as a mark. .

The Thalassotherapy covers a wide spectrum ranging from the medical treatment of chronic illnesses to the prophylaxis in healthy individuals. It is also a component of well-being programs..

The term "thalassotherapy" should only be used if the following definitions and prerequisites are fulfilled and the following measures adopted:

• Thalassotherapy is defined as a plan integrated by therapy, prevention and development of the health. The plan will be carried out by means of doctor indications and with qualified staff participation .
• The Thalassotherapy will be carried out by the sea side where the marine climate has an immediate effect.
• The sea will be used to take a bath in natural waters. The sea water must be picked up locally when used to inhale or to take a bath, e.g. in a bathtub or swimming pool.
• Marine products. It is possible to use mud or algae etc. for the different applications.
• The quality of the air should guarantee that the long stays outdoors represents a factor of rest and improvement of quality of life.
• The solar radiation will be used mainly for the heliotherapy. Under conditions of bad weather, the radiation of artificial UV can supplement the heliotherapy.
• Exhibition to the climate and the therapy of the movement must be carried out according to established norms, in the proximities of sea side .

EThis criterion was created by a working team of the Committee for the Thalassotherapy of the German Spas Association, and was discussed in a plenary session of the European Conference of Thalassotherapy that took place in Rostock, in January 2002.

At the present France is the european country that has an official organization for the Thalassotherapy. The International Federation "Mer et Santé ", together with the certification of quality "Qualicert", guarantees the quality of the thermal cures and the fundamental premises to define an institution as a thalassotherapy centre.

TERMAS WORLD AGENCY